South African scientists have identified a genetic mutation that causes retinitis pigmentosis, a hereditary condition that leads to night blindness and gradual loss of peripheral vision.

Writing in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, a team of researchers from the University of South Africa report the discovery of the so-called CA4 gene mutation that causes the disease.

They hope that their findings will help develop treatments and maybe even a cure for the disease, which affects about one in 3,000 South Africans.